Australia votes 'Yes' in favour of same sex marriage

History has been made in Australia with the country voting overwhelmingly in favour of same sex marriage – 61.6 percent to 38.4 percent.

Australian Statistician and ABS head David W. Kalisch made the announcement from Canberra as thousands of rainbow flags fluttered around the country in celebration from the ‘Yes’ camp.

Every state and territory voted in favour of legalising same sex marriage, with just nine electorates recording a ‘no’ vote majority, Mr Kalisch said.

More than 12.7 million people voted in the $100 million Australia Post survey, with a response rate of 79.5 percent.

Image: Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey

“It gives me great pleasure to return these results back to the community today,” Mr Kalisch said.

“Ultimately, the strong participation by the Australian public and their clear response toss the survey have delivered this quality information back to the community.”

Every state and territory recorded a majority Yes result over 60 per cent, with the exception of New South Wales, where 57.8 per cent voted Yes.

Melbourne and Sydney are tied as the highest Yes voting electorates in the country at 83.7 per cent.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has pledged to deliver marriage equality following the survey results. Speaking at a press conference, he said: “We must respect the voice of the people. We asked them for their opinion and they have given it to us. It is unequivocal, it is overwhelming.

“They are our masters, we who were elected to parliament. It is our job now to get on with it, get on with it and get this done. It is fair. The people have voted yes for marriage equality. Now it is our job to deliver it.”

He said that the changes will be made before Christmas.

Christine Forster, one of the key organisers of the celebratory event at Sydney's Prince Alfred Park, has described the result as a "seminal moment".
"This is a point in our history that will never be forgotten," Ms Forster said.
"We've done the right thing, we've voted for a fairer, better, more equal Australia. What a moment."
She has announced she will marry her partner on February 2.

The decision comes 28 years after Denmark became the first country to legalise same sex marriage in 1989 and Australia will now join dozens of countries around the world including Canada, England, and New Zealand.